Treadle controlled system



July 11,A 1939. B. COOPER TREADLE CONTROLLED SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1935 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 1l, 1939-v UNITED STATES ra'rEN cri-*ica alecm TREADLE conrno'unp SYSTEM Beniamin Cooper, New York, N. Y. Annotation August s, 1935, serai No. 34,525

12 claims.' (creas- 92) This invention relates to a treadle controlled system for operatingelectrical printing counters and the like devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a system of the character described for controlling the operation of an electric counter by passage of a vehicle over a treadle embedded in .a roadway,

the system including means for actuating theV counter each time the front or rear wheels of a lo vehicle roll over the treadle, when moving forwardly.

A further object of this` invention is to provide in a system of the character described, means to prevent actuation of the counter should a ve- 15 hicle be driven backwardly over the treadle, whereby the systeml is unidirectional and the counter can be operated only when the vehicle rolls over the treadle in one direction.

Vehicles mounting the treadle often stop while the wheels thereof are still on the treadle and.

due to vibration caused by the running motor oscillate or vibrate back and forth, whereby the wheels roll rearwardly and forwardly while still in contact with the treadle. It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide ina system of the character described, means to prevent'tlie counter from being actuated more than once should the wheels of the vehicle passing onto the treadle cause actuation of.the counter and Vthen oscillate or roll backward and forward while Vstill in contact with the treadle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved system of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install smooth and positive in operation, and withal practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

40 The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of'eiements and-arrangement of parts which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter described and lof which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanyingdrawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this versely thereof, and which is adapted to be traversed by vehicles passing over the roadway. 'I'he treadie I0 may be constructed substantially as shown and described in my copending application, Ser. No. 635,727, iiled October 1, 1932. The 5 same may comprise a rubber block or casing II in which are mounted a plurality of pairs of elongated, parallel contacts I2, I2a; I3, I3a; I4, Ila; and I5, I5a. Said pairs of contacts constitute switches which are normally open but l0 which are made successively and broken successively as the wheels of a vehicle pass over the treadle. The contacts I3a, Ilia and I5a are connected to the plus side of an electric power supply. Preferably, the switches are spaced apart 15 about three inches so that as the front or rear wheels of a vehicle pass over the treadle the switch I2, I2a is first closed and as the wheels advance. the switch I3, I3a also closes. As the wheels continue to advance, the switch I2, I2a opens 20 and the switch Il, Ila closes. As the wheels continue to advance, the switch I3, I3a opens and the switch I5, I5a closes: As the wheels continue advance, the switch I4, Illa opens and as the wheels roll oi the treadle, the switch I5, i5a opens. 25 Thus, the switches do not open until the next succeeding switch closes so that adjacent pairs of Aswitches are closed simultaneously.

Means is provided for energizing a counter relay I1 `for operating a printing counter when 30 the front or rear wheels of a vehicle (front or rear wheel in case of a motorcycle), pass over the treadle, making and breaking the switches successively, as described above, whereby the vehicles passing over the treadle may be counted. To 35 this end there is provided a movable switch arm I 8 connected to a minus terminal of an electric power supply. Said switch arm I8 normally contacts a xed contact I 9 connected by wire 20 to the contact I2a. The contact I2 is connected by 40 wire 2l to a xed contact 23. The contact 23 .is adapted to be engaged by a movable switch arm 2l connected by wire 25 to the minus side of an electric power supply. I'he contact 23 is connected by wire-25 to the coil 21 of a relay 45v 28, said coil 'being connected bywire 29 to contact I3. When the coil 21 is energized, the relay 28 picks up the switch arm 24 moving the same into engagement with the contact 23.

When the wheels of a vehicle close the switch 50.

gized to pick up the switch arm 24 into engagement withv the contact 23. 'Thereaften as the wheels roll oi the switch I2, |211, the relay 28 remains energized, the circuit passing from the latter is connected to the wire 25 and adaptedr to be picked up by the relay 28 into engagement with the fixed contact 31.

When the wheels of 'a vehicle advance on the treadle closing the switch I4, I4a, the coil 33 is energized since the switch arm 38 has been picked up by the relay 28 into engagement with fixed contact 31.

To retain relay 32 in energized condition even when the front wheels roll beyond switch I3, I3a, opening the same, Vthere is provided a fixed contact 4I) connected by wire 4I to the coil 33. A complementary movable switch arm 42 adapted to be picked up by the relay 32 into engagement with contact 46, is connected bywires 43 and 44 to the minus side of the power supply. Thus, after the front'wheels of the vehicle have contacted the switch ,I4, I4a and energized the relay 32, the relay remains energized even after Ysaid wheels roll oif the switch I3, I 3a, the circuit passing through the switch I4, I4a,wire 34,coil 33; wire 4I, switch 40, 42, and wires 43, 44 to the minus side of the power supply.

There is further provided a fixed contact 45 Thus when the switch I5, Ilia is relay 48 energized to close the switch 66, 65, said closed and the relay will remain energized even after the wheels of the vehicle rollvoifthe treadle and the switch I5, 15a again opens, since the circuit for the relay 63 remains closed through the switch 6 5, 66, wire 61, switch 68, 69 and wire 18. Since the relay 48 remains energized, the switch 54, 58 remains' closed and the circuit through the counter relay I1 -remains closed to insure proper actuation of the printing counter.

Means is provided to de-.energize vthe counter relay I1 as soon asl the counter has operated. To this end, the coil 56 for the counter relay I1 is connected -to a f lxed contact 13 adapted to be contacted by a movable switch arm 14 connected by wire 15 to the coil 16 of a cut off relay 11, said coil being connected to the plus side of the power supply. When the cut oi relayfis energized the same is adapted to move the switch arm 68 out of engagement with the flxedlcontact 6 8 to break the circuit through the coil 63 of relay 48'.

When the vcounter relay I1 is energized suili- -ciently to operate the counter, the movable switch arm 14 is picked up into engagement with the fixed broken, de-energizing the relay 48 and permitting the switch arm 54 to moveout of engagement with respect to the fixed contact 58, and hence breaking the circuit through the counter relay I1 for deenergizing the latter. v

When the counter relay I1 is de-energized the -movable switch arm 14 will move away from the Connected by `wire 46 to the coil v41 of a relay 43. fixed contact .13, breaking. the circuit through the said `coil being connected by wire 49 to the contact I5. A movable switch arm 5I complementarytto the fixed contact 45 is connected by wire 43 to the minusl side of the power'supply, `and is adapted to be picked up by the relay 32 into engagement with the contact 45. Thus when the front wheels of the vehicle advance on the treadle and close the switch I5, I5a, the relay 48 becomes energized throughv the circuit passing through said switch I5, A|511, wire 49, coil 41,- wire 46, switch 45, 52 and wires 43, 44 connected to the minus side of the power supply. u

For the purpose hereinafter appearing there is provided a fixed contact 58 connectedby wire 60 to the plus side of the power supply. Associated with the relay 48 is a movable switch arm 54 connected by wire 55 to the coil 56 of the counter relay I1, said coil being connected by wire 51 to the wire 44 leading to the minus side of the power supply. The switch arm 54 is adapted to be picked up by\ the relay 48 into engagement with the contact 58 over the'treadle at a high speed. To this end', i

there is provided a second coil 63 on relay 48, connectedby" wire 64 to the plusv side of the power supply.'\ The coil 63 is also connected to amovable switch arm 65 adapted to be picked up by the relay 48 into contact with a fixed contact 66 connected contact 4with the con-l and breaking the four treadle .switches succes sively, lthe counter will Abe actuated and the counter relay will be de-energized when the front wheels roll of! the treadle, bringing the system to its original condition. I'he counter is then actuated twice for each four wheel vehicle, once by the front wheels and once by the rear wheels; Actually the axles of the vehicle are counted `and by noting the number oi' six wheel (three axle) vehicles, the actual number of vehicles passing the treadle may be easily computed.

Meansis provided to prevent' actuation of the counter should a vehicle ride over the treadle rearwardly or from left tori'ght, as xshown in the drawing, whereby the system isuni-directional and the counter will only be actuated when vehicles pass over the 'treadle in onedirection only. To this end, the wire 48 (and hence the contact-I5) is connected by wire 80 to a fixed contact 8|; A movable switcharm 82 normally in lengagement with the contact 8I, and adapted -to be moved out, 'of such engagementby cut oil.' relay 11,'is connected by wire 83 to the coil 84 of a relay 85. 'I'he relay 8l, when energized, is adapted to rnovel the switch arm I8 out oi'l engagement with respect to the xed contact I8.

Should a vehiclel move over the treadle in direction'opposite to the direction of the arrow in the drawing, the switch I5, 15a will first be closed to complete the circuit through the relay for moving the switch arm'out of contact with the fixed contact I8 andI4 breaking the circuit through the relay 28.

The counter relay I1 cannot become actuated unlessthe relay 48 is energized. 'I'he relay 48,

48 cannot be energized even if the switches I5,

Ia; |4, |4a; I3, I3a; and |2, I2a are closed succession as the wheel moves from left to right overthe treadle.

When the vehicle moves in said reverse direction over the treadle and the wheels pass the switch |5, |5a, which is hence permitted to open, the circuit through ,the relay 85 breaks to permit the switch arm I8 to move back into engagement with the fixed contact I9. However, the counter relay cannot become energized because the switch I5, I5a is then open.

It will now be understood that 'if a vehicle rides backwards or from left to right over the treadle (looking at 'the drawing), even if the tires on the vehicle are soft and sufliciently large to close all the four switches at one time there will be no count registered since the closing of the switches I5, I5a'wi1l energize relay 85 and operi the switch I8, I9 and prevents closing of the lcircuit through the relay 28. z ,j

Vehicles mounting the treadle often stop while the wheels thereof are still on' the treadle and due to vibration caused by a running motor, oscillate or vibrate back and forth, whereby the wheels roll rearwardly and forwardly while still in contact with the treadle. vMeans is therefore provided for preventing the counter from being actuated more than once as the wheels roll back and forth on the treadle. To this end there are provided three iixed contacts 98, 9| and 92 adapted to be engaged by three movable switch arms 94, 95 and 98, respectively.v The movable switch arms 94, 95 and 98 are adapted to be picked up .by the Vrelay Il when the latter is energized in to engagement with the xed contacts 90, 9| and 92, respectively. The contact 9I| is When the front wheels of a vehicle advance onv the treadle until the switches I4, |4a and I5, |5a are closed, the coils 33 and 41 are energized. The relay 48 picks up the movable switch arm 54 into engagement with the fixed contact 58 to complete the circuit through 4the counter relay I'l which in turn picks .up the switch arm 14 into engagement with the contact13 to complete the circuit through the cut-off 'relay 11, the latter opening the switch 88, 89 and picking up theV switch arms 94, 95 and 98 into engagement with the fixed contacts 9|), y9| and 92, respectively. The relay Il also picks up switch arm 82 to open the switch 8|, 82. The counterrelay I1 and the cut-off relay 'I1 thus remain in energized condi.- tion as long as the switches I4, I4a and I5,- |5a are closed. Should the wheels advance sum- Y ciently to permit opening of the switch I4, I4a,

the relay 32 remains energized through the fol- -lowing circuit: switch I5, .I5a, wire 49, wire 89, wire |52, wire IUI, switch 9|, 95wire |04, wire 34,

y coil 33, wire 4I, switch 49, 42, wires 43 and 44.

Since the relay 32 remains energized when the switch I4, 'I4a opens, the switch arm'5 remains in engagement with the contact 45 whereby the `circuit through the coil 41 remains closed and therelay 48 energized. Thus the relay 48 remains energized even after the switch I4, I4a opens.

If the wheels start rolling backwards on the treadle (without rolling forwardly oi the treadle to open vthe switch I5, |5a)-'-the counter relay I1 will remain energized as explained hereinafter. Ifthe wheels roll back `sumciently to close switch I4, |4t4 andthen open the switch I5, |5a the relay 32 remainsenergized, since the circuit for the coil 3 3 is closed through the switch I4, I4a, wire 34, coil 33, wire 4|, switch 48, 42, wires 43, 44. The circuit through the coil 41 likewise remains closed through the switch I4, |4a, wire 34, wire-|04; switch 9|, 95. wire IDI, Wire |02, wire 89, coil 4l, wire 48, switch 45, 52 and wires 43, 44.

As the wheels continue to roll rearwardly closing the switch I3, |3a and permitting switch I4, I4ato open, the relay 32 remains energized by reason of the following completed circuit: switch'I3, |3a, wire |08, switch 98, 92, wire |I|I,

switch 9|, 95, wire |04, wire 34, coil 33, wire 4I,

switch 48, 42- and wire 43, 44.

-As long as the relay 32 remains energized, the

relay 48 will remain energized and the counter relay will likewise remain energized. As the wheels continue to roll rearwardly closing the `contact I2, |211 and opening the contact I3, |3a

the circuit for coil 83 will close through the following circuit: wire 84, coil 83, wire 9 8, switch 98, 94, wire |88, wire 2|, switch |2 I2a,wire

29 and switch' I8, I9. If the circuit is complete lswitches I5, |50, I4a and I3, I3a, and close switch I2, |2a, the counter relay will remain in actuated condition so that when the wheels start to roll forwardly again, the counter will not be again actuated. Vibration back and forth of the wheels while `ori the-'treadle after having actuated the counter relay will not cause a subsequent actuation of the Acounter relay during such oscillation.

When vthe-vehicle moves forwardly over the treadle and contacts the switch I5, I5a, the relay 48 is energized, the counter relay is energized and the cut-off relay alsois energized. Thecut-oif relay, therefore, picks up the switch arm 82 to break the circuit through the relay 85; This prevents the relay 85'gi'rbm being energized and prevents opening oftlie switch I8, I9. If the front wheels of the vehicle roll forwardly on the treadle c19ing the switch I5, |54, to actuate the counter and then 'vibrate or roll rearwardly sufficient to close the switch I2, I2a, the relay 48 remains energized as stated above through the coil 83, wire 98, switch 98, 94, wire |09, wire 2|, switch I2, I2'a,

I8.' |5a the counter relay 'will be energized and v-wire 20 and switch I5, I9. The Switch I8, I9,

will remain energized if any one of the other switches I2, I2a; |43, ign; or Il, Ma are closed. Thus, if the vehiclev cuts across the treadle at an angle-so that, for example, the right front wheel reaches the switch l5, I5a before the left front wheel, only one count'will be registered on the counter it the angle is not so great, that 'one wheel passes entirely over and off the treadle before the other wheel rolls onto the treadle. Rarely, of course, does a vehicle ride over a treadle at such an angle since the treadle is ,usually placed in a lane for a single vehicle.

The treadle contains more than two elongated parallel switches and for this reason it is footproofed, that is, all of the switches are not likely to be closed when the treadle is stepped upon by a casual pedestrian. If the treadle were to operate the counter when two switches are made,

a person would be able to step on the treadle and actuate one switch with his hee/l and the other switch with the toe. However, the treadle herein comprises morethan two switches and all ofthe switches must be closed to actuate the counter. With this construction a high degree of accuracy is obtained, as the treadle is onlyl re-- sponsive to the rolllng'motion of the wheel.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a system in which the several objects of this in' vention are achieved and which is well adaptedl to mweetvthe conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention `and as various changes might be made in the embodiment set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as Anew and dsire to secure by Letters Patent:

' 1. -In, combination, a multi-switch member Y adapted to be embedded in a roadbed having four switches, an electric device, and means for producing an electric impulse in sai device when the first switch is rst actuated, the second switch thereafter actuatedwhile the ilrst switch is still in actuated condition, the third switch thereafter actuated while the second is still in actuated con-` dition and the first switch is released and the fourth switch actuated while tl'ie third switch is still in actuated condition, and the second switch is released, said meansfbeing operable only upon actuating all four Aof said switches.

2. A treadle adapted to be embedded in a roadway. transversely thereof, and adapted to be contacted by the wheels of a vehicle riding therel`over, more than two elongated paralleLspaced vice when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over saidv treadle and. successively actuates all the switches and concurrently actuates adjacent switches, said meansbeing inoperable toactuate said device except upon actuation of all of said switches.

3. In combination with a treadle 'adapted to be embedded in a roadway and traversed by vehicles, more than two spaced, parallel switches within said treadle, an electro-magnet, 'said switches being spaced less than' three inches apart so -that when a wheel of a vehicle passes over the switch, the rst switch is rst actuated, the second switch is actuated while the rst switch is still in actuated' condition and each succeeding switch is actuated while the preceding switch is still in actuated condition, means for actuatingthe magnet when a wheel rolls over the treadle, said means being inoperable to actuate said magnet except upon actuation of all Vof said 4 switches, and means for retaining said magnet in actuated condition should the wheel after rolling on the treadle in one direction a sufiicient distance to actuate all of the switches and release a switch before the last switch, roll backwards to again actuate any of the switches before the last switch and release the last switch,

said switches are not likely to be actuated .when stepped upon by a casual pedestrian, means for actuating the magnet `when a wheel rolls over the treadle, said means being inoperable to actuate said magnetexcept upon actuation of all of said switches, and means to prevent actuation of said magnet when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over the treadle in a reverse direction actuating the last switch before the first..

vstill in actuated condition, and whereby all of Q5. An elongated multi-switch treadler adapted Ato be embedded in a roadbed ytransversely of said roadbed, whereby the wheels of vehicles passing along the roadbed may roll over said treadle, more than two parallel switches ln said treadle disposed side by side, longitudinally of the treadle, in substantially the saine horizontal plane, and adapted to be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being less than three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated concurrently by said wheel, and whereby all of said switches are not likely to be actuated when stepped upon by a casual pedestrian, Yan electric device, means for energizing said device when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, said means being inoperable to energize said device except upon actuation of all of said switches and means for automatically deenergizing saidz device upon the same becoming energized.

6. An elongated multi-switch treadle' adapted -to be embedded in a roadbed transversely oi.' said roadbed, whereby the wheels of vehicles passing l,

of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being4 less than ,three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated` concurrently by said wheel, and whereby all of said switches are not likely to be actuated when stepped upon by-a casual pedestriaman electric device, means for energizing saiddevice when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, said means being inoperable to energize said device ,u

except upon actuation of all of said switches, means for automatically deenergizing said device upon the same becoming energized, and means in said circuit for insuring complete actuation of said device.

7. An elongated multi-switch'treadle adapted to be embedded in a roadbed transversely of, said roadbed, whereby the wheels of vehicles passing along the roadbed may roll over said treadle, a

multiplicity of parallel switches in said ltreadle r disposed side by side, longitudinally of the treadle, in substantially the same horizontal plane, and adapted to be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being less than three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated concurrently by said wheel, an electric device',z means for energizing said device when a wheel oi a vehicle rolls over said treadle and actuates at least two of said switches, means for automatically deenergizing said device upon the same becoming energized, and means to prevent a second actuation of said device if a wheel of a vehicle, after rolling on the treadle in. one direcing along the roadbed may roll over said treadle, more than two parallel switches in said treadle disposed side by side, longitudinally oi the treadle, in substantially the same horizontal plane, and adaptedto be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being less than three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated 'concurrently by said wheel, an. electric device,

means for energizing said device when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, said means beinginoperable to energizesaid device except upon actuation of all of said switches, means for automatically'deenegizing said device upon the same becoming energized, meansto prevent a second actuation of said device if a wheel of a vehicle,` after rolling on the treadle in one direction a sutiicient distance to actuate the last switch and release a switch before the last switch, rolls l in the opposite direction on the treadle, without going oil the treadle, at least a sufilcient distance to release the last switch and actuate a-'switch before the last switch, and then rolls in the iirst direction ci! the treadle, and means to prevent actuation of said device when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over the treadle in a reverse direction. v

9. An elongated mum-switch treadle adapted to -be embedded in the roadbed transversely of said roadbed, whereby the wheels of vehicles pass ing along the roadbed may roll over said treadle,

more than two parallel switches in said treadle disposed side by side; longitudinallylof the trea' dle, in substantially the same horizontal plane,

and adapted to be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the" pedestrian stepping on the treadle, an electricv device, means for energizing said device when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, said means being inoperable to energize said device except upon actuation of all of said switches, means for automatically deenergizing said device upon'the same becoming energized, and means to prevent actuation of said device when a Wheel of a vehicle rolls over the treadle in a reverse direction. f

10. An elongated multi-switch treadle adapted to be embedded in a roadbed transversely of said roadbed, whereby the wheels of vehicles passing along the roadbed may roll over said treadle, more than two parallel switches in said treadle disposed side by side, longitudinally of the treadle, in substantially the same. horizontal plane, and adapted to be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being less than three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated concurrently by said wheel, an electric device, means for energizing said device when a Wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, said means being inoperable to energize said device except upon actuation of all of said Switches, means for auto matlcally deenergizing said device upon vthe same becoming energized, means for insuring complete actuation of said device when said wheel rolls vover said tre'adle, and means to prevent a second actuation of said device if a wheel/of a vehicle, after rolling on the treadle in; one direction a suiiicient distance to actuate thellast switch and release a switch before the last switch, rolls in the opposite direction on the treadle, without going off the treadle, at least a suficient distance to release the last switch and actuate a switch before the last switch, and then rolls in the rst direction oi the treadle.

11. An elongated multi-switch treadle adapted to be embedded in a roadbed transversely of said along the roadbed may roll over said treadle, a

multiplicity of parallel switches in said treadle disposed side by 'side,'longitudinallyof the treadle, in substantially the same horizontal plane, and adapted to be actuated successively by a wheel of a vehicle rolling over` said treadle, the distance between adjacent switches being lesss than three inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuated concurrently by said wheel, an electric device, means for energizing said device when a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treadle, and actuates said switches, and means to prevent a roadbed, whereby the Wheels di vehicles passing o second actuation of said device if a wheel of a vehicle, after rolling on the treadle in one direction a sufficient distance to actuate the last switch and release the switch immediately before the last switch, rolls in the opposite direction on the treadle,y without going oi the treadle,- at least -a sufficient distance to release the last switch and actuate a switch before the last switch, and. Ythen rolls in the ilrst direction off the treadle.

12. An elongated multi-switch treadle adapted to be embedded ina roadbed transversely of said v inches, whereby adjacent switches are actuatedconcurrently by said wheel, an electric device, means for lenergizing said device when. a wheel of a vehicle rolls over said treaTdle, and actuates said switch immediately before the last switch, rolls switches. means for insuring complete actuation in the opposite direction on the treadle, 'withof said device when -said wheeel rolls over said out going oi! the treadle, at least a'sumcient distrealdle, and means to prevent a second actuation tance to^ release the last switch and actuate `a.-

of said device if a wheel cfa vehicle, after rollswitch before the last switch, and then rolls in 5, ing on the treadle in one direction'a sumcient disthe nrst direction of! the treadle.

tance to actuate the last switch and release tl1e\ BENJAMIN COOPER. 

